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Skidmore News
Vol. 49 No. 3 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK 12866 September 21, 1972
THE SKIDMORE NEWS IS NOT DEAD
IT'S ALIVE IN ALUMNAE HOUSE.
Strike Plagues Skidmore's Opening Week
[photograph]
Skidmore employees protest Verrazzano action
by Helen S. Edelman
Welcome, fellow Skiddies, to the fall term, the turning leaves, the new tennis courts, and the strike. While you’re dragging your suitcases through picket lines don’t mutter your under-the-breath curses at Skidmore. The problem is a result of a contract between Verrazzano College, (which owns the old campus, and is only leasing the grounds to Skidmore College), and Mar-Rik Services of Schenectady- which was not honored by Mar-Rik. Unfortunately, since VC is not yet in actual operation it is SC which is being penalized and inconvenienced.
In the contract VC agreed to rehire all the same men and women then in the employ of Skidmore through Mar-Rik. Mar-Rik, however, did not re­hire 30 of the union members. The natural result was that the workload on those rehired is enormously increased (especially on the old campus where, for instance, only one house-keeper was assigned the whole of Moore Hall (there had been 4)-to compensate for the lack of staff) and of course there is no raise in salary. The main grievance is that these 30 people, promised jobs in June, were never called to work. On September 11th, the first official day of the school year, the Self Employed International Union began their strike, trying to force Mar-Rik Services to act in accord with their contract with Skidmore, as the most hurt party, under pressure to negotiate although they are not at fault for the breach of word.
SC actually has no jurisdiction over this matter, and is only caught in the battle. It is actually difficult to decide where sympathies should be directed. The strikers have a valid complaint, but did not follow the grievance procedures they have agreed to- and instead called for a strike- extremely disadvantageously timed for SC. However, this was Local 200’s only recourse as it would be impossible to affect an unoccupied and, for practical purposes nonexistent, VC.
Verrazano College is also not the culprit. In fact, according to Mrs. Lester, assistant to President Palamountain, when VC was contacted by Skidmore they had no knowledge that their contract with Mar-Rik had not been properly executed, nor that a strike had been called. It is still difficult to understand why Local 200 did not contact VC officials themselves to air the dissatisfaction before striking.
The lawyers from SC, VC, and Mar-Rik have met to negotiate in New York City. The only obvious solution is for the 30 people promised their former positions to be immediately called back to work, whether it means dealing with them through Mar-Rik, or not.
Mrs. Lester also said, “All we can do now is sit tight.” There is a great, understandable, reluctance to act hastily or unfairly to the striking workers. Nor will the college label the strike with any legal terms until the entire situation is reviewed, although there is some question as to the Union’s actual right to call a strike without having gone through the agreed grievance procedures and channels. The source of the entire conflict is Mar-Rik, undoubtedly.
For the moment, there is no food service or bus between the campuses. Security police have stayed on the job. In the cafeteria the kitchen management and student volunteers have taken over and things are under excellent control. Even Mrs. Palamountain baked cookies for Tuesday’s lunch.
The student reaction is not particularly traumatic. Cill Logie, an upperclassman living in Van Deusen said, “If it doesn’t go on too long . . . it’s bringing out the best in some people.”
Let’s hope that after this fall flop the rapport between all the victimized parties will not make the Saratoga winter any colder than necessary.
A Footnote:
On Thursday morning, September 14, the Skidmore populace awakened to the sounds of lawn mowers, school buses and old campus showers creaking for the first time since Monday afternoon.
This was a direct result of the promised rehiring of the thirty union members.
Thus Skidmore has endured its second consecutive strike. The modus operandi has always been: Three strikes and you’re out! Need we say more?
A-HK
Communications Line; President Discusses College Administration Role the 70’s
by Suzanne C. Shailer
Where is the mysterious President Palamountain?
Communication Lines deemed it appropriate that President Palamountain be interviewed for the first issue of the Skidmore News. It is important to find out where Dr. Palamountain’s energies are spent. Much was disclosed in an informative hour. Yet, it is unfortunate that the President cannot find more time to circulate among his students.
President Palamountain is the author or co-author of the following books: The Politics Of Distribution, Government and the American Economy, American National Government: Policy and Politics, Issues and Perspectives in American Government.
He is also a member of twenty various committees, including the following:
The Commissioner’s Advisory Council on Higher Education, State of New York, 1971-
Advisory Council, State of New York Joint Legislative Committee on Higher Education, 1970-
Executive Committee of Associated Colleges and Universities of New York, 1967-; treasurer, 1971-
Board of Directors, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 1965- Board of Directors, Family Service Assn., Middletown, Conn. 1960-65.
Question: In recent years the Presidents of many colleges and universities have increasingly lost contact with students. Why has this happened?
Answer: It is primarily because we have to be in so many other places. Students are important, but so is the faculty. We have to relate to alumnae, trustees and prospective donors. If I had any choice in the mat­ter, I’d spend more of my time with students.
One of the most pressing matters which the president must take care of is finances. Each year we need an increasing amount. For example, five years ago student fees covered 95% of all operating costs. Now student fees cover only 80%. It is necessary to speak at alumnae clubs to recruit donations. In the seven years I’ve been at Skidmore, we’ve raised $12 million more than had been raised to date. This amount must double in the next five years if Skidmore is to continue to grow. We now have added staff, easing the time problem. For several years my time also went into the innovative summer programs, which now net over $100,000 a year.
Question: I just witnessed actual physical contact between delivery men and strikers. What are the ramifications of such actions? What are your thoughts on the strike?
Answer: The scene you just witnessed is in violation of the law. This is private property and such action is illegal. This action violates the word of union leaders, who stated they would not stop food deliveries. The whole strike is in complete violation of the union contract which states all disagreements must be mediated. In other words strike action is illegal. It is a secondary boycott trying to make Skidmore pressure Verrazzano and Mar-Rik into ful­filling their contract.
Question: What are your thoughts concerning co-education?
Answer: I’ve heard that the entrance of men has enriched dialogue in the classroom. The
(Continued on page 5)
[photograph of President Palamountain at his desk]

Skidmore News
Vol. 49 No. 3 SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK 12866 September 21, 1972
THE SKIDMORE NEWS IS NOT DEAD
IT'S ALIVE IN ALUMNAE HOUSE.
Strike Plagues Skidmore's Opening Week
[photograph]
Skidmore employees protest Verrazzano action
by Helen S. Edelman
Welcome, fellow Skiddies, to the fall term, the turning leaves, the new tennis courts, and the strike. While you’re dragging your suitcases through picket lines don’t mutter your under-the-breath curses at Skidmore. The problem is a result of a contract between Verrazzano College, (which owns the old campus, and is only leasing the grounds to Skidmore College), and Mar-Rik Services of Schenectady- which was not honored by Mar-Rik. Unfortunately, since VC is not yet in actual operation it is SC which is being penalized and inconvenienced.
In the contract VC agreed to rehire all the same men and women then in the employ of Skidmore through Mar-Rik. Mar-Rik, however, did not re­hire 30 of the union members. The natural result was that the workload on those rehired is enormously increased (especially on the old campus where, for instance, only one house-keeper was assigned the whole of Moore Hall (there had been 4)-to compensate for the lack of staff) and of course there is no raise in salary. The main grievance is that these 30 people, promised jobs in June, were never called to work. On September 11th, the first official day of the school year, the Self Employed International Union began their strike, trying to force Mar-Rik Services to act in accord with their contract with Skidmore, as the most hurt party, under pressure to negotiate although they are not at fault for the breach of word.
SC actually has no jurisdiction over this matter, and is only caught in the battle. It is actually difficult to decide where sympathies should be directed. The strikers have a valid complaint, but did not follow the grievance procedures they have agreed to- and instead called for a strike- extremely disadvantageously timed for SC. However, this was Local 200’s only recourse as it would be impossible to affect an unoccupied and, for practical purposes nonexistent, VC.
Verrazano College is also not the culprit. In fact, according to Mrs. Lester, assistant to President Palamountain, when VC was contacted by Skidmore they had no knowledge that their contract with Mar-Rik had not been properly executed, nor that a strike had been called. It is still difficult to understand why Local 200 did not contact VC officials themselves to air the dissatisfaction before striking.
The lawyers from SC, VC, and Mar-Rik have met to negotiate in New York City. The only obvious solution is for the 30 people promised their former positions to be immediately called back to work, whether it means dealing with them through Mar-Rik, or not.
Mrs. Lester also said, “All we can do now is sit tight.” There is a great, understandable, reluctance to act hastily or unfairly to the striking workers. Nor will the college label the strike with any legal terms until the entire situation is reviewed, although there is some question as to the Union’s actual right to call a strike without having gone through the agreed grievance procedures and channels. The source of the entire conflict is Mar-Rik, undoubtedly.
For the moment, there is no food service or bus between the campuses. Security police have stayed on the job. In the cafeteria the kitchen management and student volunteers have taken over and things are under excellent control. Even Mrs. Palamountain baked cookies for Tuesday’s lunch.
The student reaction is not particularly traumatic. Cill Logie, an upperclassman living in Van Deusen said, “If it doesn’t go on too long . . . it’s bringing out the best in some people.”
Let’s hope that after this fall flop the rapport between all the victimized parties will not make the Saratoga winter any colder than necessary.
A Footnote:
On Thursday morning, September 14, the Skidmore populace awakened to the sounds of lawn mowers, school buses and old campus showers creaking for the first time since Monday afternoon.
This was a direct result of the promised rehiring of the thirty union members.
Thus Skidmore has endured its second consecutive strike. The modus operandi has always been: Three strikes and you’re out! Need we say more?
A-HK
Communications Line; President Discusses College Administration Role the 70’s
by Suzanne C. Shailer
Where is the mysterious President Palamountain?
Communication Lines deemed it appropriate that President Palamountain be interviewed for the first issue of the Skidmore News. It is important to find out where Dr. Palamountain’s energies are spent. Much was disclosed in an informative hour. Yet, it is unfortunate that the President cannot find more time to circulate among his students.
President Palamountain is the author or co-author of the following books: The Politics Of Distribution, Government and the American Economy, American National Government: Policy and Politics, Issues and Perspectives in American Government.
He is also a member of twenty various committees, including the following:
The Commissioner’s Advisory Council on Higher Education, State of New York, 1971-
Advisory Council, State of New York Joint Legislative Committee on Higher Education, 1970-
Executive Committee of Associated Colleges and Universities of New York, 1967-; treasurer, 1971-
Board of Directors, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 1965- Board of Directors, Family Service Assn., Middletown, Conn. 1960-65.
Question: In recent years the Presidents of many colleges and universities have increasingly lost contact with students. Why has this happened?
Answer: It is primarily because we have to be in so many other places. Students are important, but so is the faculty. We have to relate to alumnae, trustees and prospective donors. If I had any choice in the mat­ter, I’d spend more of my time with students.
One of the most pressing matters which the president must take care of is finances. Each year we need an increasing amount. For example, five years ago student fees covered 95% of all operating costs. Now student fees cover only 80%. It is necessary to speak at alumnae clubs to recruit donations. In the seven years I’ve been at Skidmore, we’ve raised $12 million more than had been raised to date. This amount must double in the next five years if Skidmore is to continue to grow. We now have added staff, easing the time problem. For several years my time also went into the innovative summer programs, which now net over $100,000 a year.
Question: I just witnessed actual physical contact between delivery men and strikers. What are the ramifications of such actions? What are your thoughts on the strike?
Answer: The scene you just witnessed is in violation of the law. This is private property and such action is illegal. This action violates the word of union leaders, who stated they would not stop food deliveries. The whole strike is in complete violation of the union contract which states all disagreements must be mediated. In other words strike action is illegal. It is a secondary boycott trying to make Skidmore pressure Verrazzano and Mar-Rik into ful­filling their contract.
Question: What are your thoughts concerning co-education?
Answer: I’ve heard that the entrance of men has enriched dialogue in the classroom. The
(Continued on page 5)
[photograph of President Palamountain at his desk]